Andover’s oldest church is set to close its doors for good next month as dwindling congregation numbers have made it unviable.

On Sunday, June 26 at 3pm, a Thanksgiving Service for the life and work of Andover United Reformed Church will take place to celebrate the historic place of worship and community venue, before its final service on July 17.

Its members are inviting anyone in the community, who may have some connection to the church, to go along and bid it farewell, with prayers and hymns chosen by the congregation, memories shared, and refreshments provided.

Andover Congregational Church, as it was originally known, has stood in East Street since it was completed in 1702, making it the oldest church building in Andover.

Parts of the building are listed - although there is some uncertainty and debate among members as to which parts.

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In 1848, the then ‘notorious’ pub and skittle alley behind the church was purchased in auction for £400 and became the Sunday School. While it looks quite different today, it has remained a community hall utilised by a huge variety of groups including the church’s own Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades and community lunch club, as well as Slimming World, Neighbour Care, karate, and other religious groups.

Church elder Graham Turner joined the church 20 years ago. He said: “We just don’t have enough people to keep the building, and to do what we should for the people that use it.

Covid has had an effect, there are a lot of people who have lost confidence to go out.”

Marian Brewer is also one of the church elders, as well as the leader of the Girls’ Brigade. She was brought up in Andover and has been attending the church for her whole life.

She said: “It’s just out of the town centre unfortunately. But our premises are for the use of the community, the hall is such a wonderful asset, so that is going to be quite sad.”

However, she is pleased that the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade groups will be able to continue, as they have secured use of the Methodist Church on Bridge Street.

Marian and Graham have watched the numbers regularly attending the church fall sharply. Both remember when the pews would feel “bustling”, and now they say that barely a dozen make it along regularly.

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Favourite memories for the pair include hosting the thanksgiving service for the emergency services, and carols by candlelight at Christmas.

Marian explained that, in recent months, the congregation has been without a minister, which has also left them “adrift”.

The building belongs to the Wessex Synod of the United Reform Church, and so ownership will soon return to them to decide how best to use it going forwards.

“We would always prefer it was used for some form of ministry,” said Marian. “But it’s not in our hands, it’s not our decision.”

The members of the church now plan to find a variety of other churches in Andover to attend, but hope people will join them in celebrating their historic building one last time.

Marian said: “It’s an opportunity for people who have been connected with the church over the years and, whilst it’s good back, we also want to look forward at what God’s plans are for the future.”

She continued: “When you think how many people used to come - we used to have a huge Sunday School of 60+, there’s people getting married, having their babies baptised. All of those people and their families have had some connection over the years.”

The church elders hope the spirit of the church, and the part it's played in the Andover community will live on through its members and those it played a role in the lives of.

Marian said: “There are other churches within the town that are doing brilliant work and can fulfill that role.”

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